Posts by Angela Martin2

Carl Clark said:Angela Martin2, get this sorted out ASAP.
I called the bakery lady three days ago to book us for June 30th, 2012, and she said we caught her at just the right time because things are getting crazy. She mentioned she can only handle about 1,000 guests per weekend or something like that, so she told us to come by during the Christmas season to hammer out all the details while the workload is lighter... 😁

Oh, man... 😲
I need everything set for July 7th! Honestly didn't think I had to have this nailed down before May... 🤦

If I’ve got 30 adults coming, how many desserts should I grab? Was thinking maybe 6 lbs of assorted treats. It's not an all-night wedding thing, just a buffet style setup.

Also, how do bakeries usually handle transport? Do they have their own refrigerated delivery trucks or something?

How far in advance should I be ordering the cake and desserts? A month, two, maybe more?
Roughly how many treats per person am I looking at...

Found some killer bras at H&M lately—not breaking the bank, either. They’ve actually got a solid range of cup sizes and fits.
Triumph and Paris Lingerie have stuff too.

Honestly? Way cuter than anything from Victoria's Secret, and the fit is much smarter—at least for my body.

Jason Moore63 said:Image Haddad isn gone from the area. Apparently, there’s a new spot over on Radnicka, and word on the street is they actually carry plus-size stuff. I haven't made the trip out there myself yet, so who knows if that's even true. Just another thing changing around here.

It’s pretty weird if you ask me. Usually, they don't bother stitching anything larger than a size 4 in these shops. Just doesn't happen. 🙄 Sometimes you run into something big, but honestly, it’s pretty rare. You’ll find some size 40 pieces that are actually huge—big enough for someone who usually wears a 12 or 14—but then you turn around and hit those other cuts that are so ridiculously tight a 40 feels more like an 8. It's all over the place. 🙄

I know exactly which shop you mean—they always have those gorgeous dresses sitting right there in the window.😍

Keep in mind this was like 5 years ago. 😁. Downtown, size 12 🤷. I remember clearly asking twice for a bigger size and the clerk just goes, "Ma'am, this is literally the largest we have." 😬

Popped into that boutique yesterday—the one with those specific dresses. Well, bad news. There's plenty of stuff, sure, but the exact one I wanted? Gone. 😢. Just realized these are the spots where local designers make everything, so it's all unique pieces.
There are maybe 3 or 4 shops upstairs worth checking out—definitely worth trying on things you think would never look good on you 😍. Prices are... well, if it's for a wedding and the dress is absolutely killer, okay, $600 it's not too bad. But for a dress you're planning to wear once a year (like I did)... yeah, it's pricey.

Nathan Baker said:Regarding the shop itself... I used to go there... though that might have been a decade ago now, but I seem to recall it being on that street leading from the main square toward the historic district, right behind that big department store near the central plaza (goodness, I can never remember what locals call that massive building behind the main statue, you know the one). Heaven knows if it’s still hanging around somewhere...

And about that belt... you might be onto something there, but I won't know for sure until I actually try it on... assuming I even bother to look for it, depending on what catches my eye.

Are you thinking of Harmica? Still not sure, but doesn't matter.

Two other spots popped into my head:

1) Nebo (I only ever went to their Kaptol Center location) and I was honestly obsessed with how their size 12 is actually a true 12 and not some weird 6, plus the cuts were pretty feminine—for my taste, anyway. I was pushing 200 lbs back then, yet I could pull off a size 12 skirt. And it actually looked good.

2) Another shop—can't recall the name—but it's at the start of Radićeva, right by that little alleyway with the winding stairs that takes you up to the historic district. They have these killer cuts that really flatter curves. No clue about sizing, though.

Nathan Baker said:Everything you’ve said has been noted, and I truly appreciate the guidance... I’ll definitely keep those locations in mind for a future trip. One thing, though—the idea of custom sewing just isn't in the cards for me; I really need to buy something ready-to-wear. My history with tailoring hasn't exactly been kind, and even if there were a master tailor in a major hub like Chicago, I simply can't justify the commute. Driving back and forth to a specialist three or four times just doesn't make sense for my schedule or my sanity.

As for my budget, I suppose I fall somewhere in the middle—neither strictly limited nor bottomless. It doesn't necessarily have to be an outfit for a $100, but I certainly can't go dropping a small fortune on a wedding gown either.

Regarding what you mentioned, Kris, about the belt—I actually spotted something quite similar at a boutique in New York, but they only carried petite sizes. There used to be a shop in a nearby city that carried everything from a size 12 upwards... do you happen to know if a place like that still exists?

Honestly, I didn't even know they had it, so I have no clue if it's still out there (or where).

Anyway, that belt H&M uses—the leather one that wraps around your waist and ties in the back—it’s definitely not doing anyone any favors... let's just say it's "flattering" in the loosest sense of the word 🙂. Trust me, I tried it on my worst days 😉.

Nathan Baker, these dresses are killer. The neckline, length, sleeves—everything is spot on.
I was actually hunting for a wedding guest dress once and stumbled upon one that blew me away at an Importante gallery boutique.

Can't recall the exact shop layout—got totally turned around in those hallways—but I think it’s on the ground floor, tucked in a corner. Honestly, easy to miss because that area's pretty dead now.

They do their own sewing, too. The fabric is gorgeous—dual-toned inside and out, so you can basically wear it either way. It has that sharp V-neck, 3/4 sleeves, and it's a bit longer than the ones in the pics. What makes it perfect is the material; it’s thick enough that nothing shows through, plus the wrap style is everything. That vertical cut does wonders for your silhouette.

I ended up passing on it because I found something else, but part of me wants to go back and grab it just because... it really is that good.

Another place I'd suggest checking out is Artigo Moda—they're on Facebook. Their dresses have this cool, effortless vibe. Most of what I saw online was small sizes, but I bet they’d custom-tailor something for you.

Like this:



Third option is Stolnik, over in Vlaška near the gallery. That's where I finally picked up my dress. Same deal—wrap style, deep V, heavy-duty fabric, and a nice thick belt that cinches the waist perfectly. Not sure about their sizing, though—what I had on happened to fit.

Nathan Baker said:I’m honestly not quite sure where this belongs, so I suppose I'll just toss it here—anyway, I am on the hunt for something to wear to a wedding this July. It doesn't strictly have to be a dress, though if I go that route, I'll need some seriously formal trousers paired with an equally fancy top. My brother is getting married, after all.

To give you some context, I’m an XXL woman (size 18/20, though if luck is on my side, I might squeeze down to a 16 by summertime) and I'm on the taller side. I always seem to run into trouble with tailoring—it never quite turns out the way I envisioned, and I’ve had to endure more than a few snide remarks from seamstresses along the way... usually, I just stick to places like C&A or Kohl's and similar shops. But GOOD GRIEF, where on earth am I supposed to find a decent outfit? I'd really rather avoid buying anything online if I can help it. I’m willing to consider options in Chicago, Cleveland, Kansas City, or maybe even New York.

What kind of vibe are you going for?

how big are we talking for each of these muffins?

feralmoose32 said:Think about it—it’s actually pretty common for more people to end up with salmonella than you might realize...
I mean, the health inspectors aren't exactly going to be hunting down some local lady running a bake sale out of her kitchen just because she served some questionable pastries, right?

The point isn't that the certificate has to come from some big-name, high-end bakery—it can be from any food vendor or establishment, really—it just serves as proof that everything being sold meets all the necessary hygiene and safety standards...

got it. makes sense.

Nathan Cox25 said:There’s no official certification—they just need a business license. It’s mostly about liability, so if someone gets food poisoning, the restaurant isn't left holding the bag. Honestly, if you're in a place like Chicago or NYC, you’re basically forced to buy your pastries from 99% of the restaurants, cafes, and hotels out there—I doubt that 1% of places making their own even exists. In other parts of the States, though, you see people bringing in homemade treats a bit more often.

we're mostly hitting up rural farms, taverns, pubs, meadows... stuff like that.
maybe we fall into that 1%...

thanks, things are clearer now.

feralmoose32 said:I honestly think we’ve reached a point where no small-time bakery owner is going to take the risk of selling treats without having all their certifications perfectly in order...

Of course, you could always just pick up a few pounds from a commercial supplier and handle the rest through a home kitchen setup—if that's even allowed anymore—🤷

To be fair, I've never actually had anyone ask me to see my paperwork, but if they ever did—well, I'd have been totally covered...

Fair enough. Now for a stupid question though—what’s the point of the certificate anyway? Does it have to come from some big-name bakery or something? Why? And I don't get the part about people "risking" anything... risking what?

Anyone here who's already married 😍 ever dealt with the whole homemade dessert thing—you know, stuff from mom, a mother-in-law, or some distant aunt...?

I know there’s some kind of rule out there, but I can’t quite remember the specifics—something about needing a certificate or whatever, and how some restaurants won't even touch them unless they come straight from a bakery.

Does that really just depend on the restaurant?

Here’s my take on the whole weight loss thing.

Look, it isn't some magic trick where you just lose weight without giving anything up. Acupuncture doesn't do the work by itself... you still have to stick to a diet to actually see results. Think of it more like a way to keep you chill—it targets those hunger centers so you aren't constantly fighting cravings or feeling cranky, plus it helps balance things out.

As long as you follow the rules they give you 👍 for the method.

I gotta be honest, looking at these two bras, I wouldn't pick either one for my boobs. Not because they aren't cute—they're actually great—it's just that because of my shape (and honestly, looking at that skinny girl with zero cleavage 🙂... jealous), everything ends up looking tiny regardless of the size I pick.

The photos are pretty much deceiving.

feralmoose32 said:I was in the States last year and hit up Victoria's Secret—absolute heaven...
Found two specific styles I love and now I just order them online in every color imaginable. They're basically my holy grail...😉

Which ones, though? I've heard nothing but good things about VS... but... I don't know, buying stuff that delicate online feels a bit risky.

Chloe Hernandez83 said:Ladies, I finally discovered Anita this summer!
I kept hearing about their bras for all different body types on the radio, so I finally swung by one of their shops—they have a spot on Fifth Avenue in Washington, D.C., and plenty of stores all over the US—and grabbed a bra in like five minutes. 🙂
Then, about a month ago, I went back for a full bra fitting. The saleswoman measured me up, brought out 10 different styles, we tried them on, adjusted them, tightened things up...
Prices run from 200 to $167. They carry regular ones and maternity too. I picked one for 290 and honestly, I haven't taken it off!
The one I've got my eye on is $167, but I'm grabbing it as soon as I get my hands on some cash.
The lady even wrote down all the style codes for the ones I liked on a little slip of paper, just to make things easier for my next visit...
Highly recommend!
😍

So where exactly is this?
Anyway, speaking of bras, Calzedonia actually surprised me.
Just popped in on a whim and the staff was super helpful. She gave me 6 or 7 options, they all fit perfectly right away, so I just had to pick my favorite.
Couldn't believe I actually found a bra that fits without feeling like a total sausage...

Sophia Phillips36 said:http://www.victoriassecret.com/light__comfort.php
Check out the Amuret Sweet line.
It’s basically a balconette, though not your standard version. I actually have one right now in black—it's killer...

The site is a total mess—super cluttered.
Can't seem to find it.

Is this the one:

http://www.fashion.com/products/clothing/sweet-bra

edit: Just realized there are two versions of the same style—one with padding and underwire, the other just underwire...

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:J...owerbagsat.jpg

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:N...t_flowerba.jpg

what even is a balkonet? 😕

I was honestly floored when everything just shifted overnight once I hit 10 or 11... breasts, body hair, my period... did any of you deal with size issues back in childhood (if you can even call being 11 "childhood")?

Yeah, I did. Between the girls at school picking on me—though the guys didn't really catch on until later—to those awkward PE classes where I just wanted to hide, and then eventually dealing with creepy stares from random creeps all over town... 🙄

And generally speaking, I remember that whole stretch of puberty and childhood as this weird, unspoken truce where we just tolerated each other instead of actually liking one another.

The real spark didn't happen until much later, probably once I figured out what people could actually do with it 😍 (getting discounts, skipping cover charges at clubs, free drinks, and all that other kind of bribery 😂 along with various adult activities ☕)

Yeah, my Victoria's Secret one has those thin straps too. Super stretchy... honestly, I hate it. I need some actual support 😁

So... quick question, what size are you guys? And how does your chest react when you gain or lose weight?

Over the last decade, I went from a 34B to a 36D—with a brief stint at a 36D after putting on a few pounds... 🙂